With December and January, and the heart of winter, arriving in Japan, illuminations are a common and popular event. There are illumination events that get hundreds to thousands of people a year in Nagoya. I am one of the many fans of these light show events, and I have been to quite a few...
Lately, I have felt profoundly alone and on my own with everything that I am doing. I can honestly say that not a single person in the past six months has asked me what I want. No one asks me about my goals, hopes for the future, or how I make it from one...
Both of us have been self-employed at various points, and Kisstopher is now permanently self-employed. It brings both benefits and drawbacks. Note: Because of the lag time in recording (for transcription, art, etc.), Chad talks about being a freelance worker even though he now has a full-time job. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been...
I recently did a really thorough cleaning of my house. With help from my mother to get things really spotless, I realized that cleanliness isn’t just about cleaning up after yourself. It’s also about living in a way that makes it easy for you to not make a mess to begin with. For a...
I have a lot of pet peeves. I have been reflecting on them lately because I am wondering if it is time to learn how to deconstruct them because if one is set off, it can tank my mood for a few days. I’m thinking this is not a good thing. One of them...
What does it even mean to be an ally? We don’t know, but we have opinions. With surprisingly few digressions, this is a focused conversation about allies, both real and aspirational. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about allyship. C: That ship sinks on a lot of people. K: (laughs) I should not...
People have often asked me about my experience socializing in Japan. More specifically, about whether I have a lot of friends and feel comfortable here. On the comfort part, the answer is a definitive yes. I truly enjoy a lot of the conveniences and such that come with living here. On the friendship part,...
Something I really enjoy about my marriage is that it has always been about turn-taking. Sometimes it is all about me and sometimes it is all about Chad. Some it is even all about Rasta. We each get a turn for it to be all about us. This past year was all about Chad...
Groups form in Japan for all kinds of reasons, some good, some bad. We talk about our experience with group identity in Japan. Transcript K: So, lately I’ve been thinking about groups in Japan. Like expat groups and not even expat groups. There’s tons and tons of social groups in Japan. I feel like...
I have a couple of hereditary diseases, both of which are sunlight sensitive. One is acute hereditary coproporphyria, and the other is lupus. If you follow The Musicks In Japan podcast, or read my mother’s blog on the website, then you’ve probably already heard about her experience. I don’t have it as bad as...